1 Corinthians 9:15

But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church while defending his apostolic conduct and explaining his refusal to accept financial support for preaching. He makes this declaration in the middle of a broader argument about the rights of gospel workers versus his voluntary choice to forgo those rights.

The words — The Greek verb κέχρημαι (kechrēmai) literally means "have used" or "have exercised," underscoring Paul’s deliberate refusal to claim the financial rights granted to ministers. The particle δὲ (de) translates as "however," signaling a sharp pivot from the preceding concession about ministerial support in 1 Corinthians 9:14.

The thread — Paul’s refusal to impose on believers mirrors his recorded ministry pattern in 1 Thessalonians 2:9 and 2 Thessalonians 3:8, where he labored night and day to avoid being a financial burden. This practice directly fulfills his earlier statement in 1 Corinthians 9:12 that he and his companions explicitly declined to exercise their right to material support.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that spiritual authority does not mandate financial compensation and that voluntary sacrifice can validate a messenger’s integrity. Believers must assess whether their own use of Christian privileges advances the gospel or merely secures personal advantage.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

Cross-references

1 Thessalonians 2:9 Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
2 Thessalonians 3:8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
1 Corinthians 9:12 If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
Acts 18:3 and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
Acts 20:24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
2 Corinthians 11:9 And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.
Matthew 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Acts 8:3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
1 Corinthians 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;